Tory in “left-wing is bad” shocker

DARTFORD MP Gareth Johnson says Jeremy Corbyn is the only interesting candidate in the Labour leadership race – but doesn’t want him to take charge of the party.

Writing on his blog, Mr Johnson, who is a Tory, said: “Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall have all been fairly uninspiring.

“It is Jeremy Corbyn alone who is responsible for making this contest fascinating. It is impossible to debate the issue of the Labour leadership contest without mentioning him but the same can’t be said of the other contenders.

“I served on the Justice Select Committee with Mr Corbyn and got to know him quite well. He is a likeable man with deep convictions and a respect for others who have opposing views.”

But he insists that Labour must not elect him as their next leader.

“Having him as Prime Minister would be a disaster for the UK and I suspect the Labour Party hierarchy knows this,” Mr Johnson said.

“Labour didn’t lose the last election by not being left-wing enough. It’s not for me to tell the Labour Party who it should have as leader, but Jeremy Corbyn is not the man to take Britain forward.”

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